Improvement in metallic alloys



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HOWELL W. WRIGHT, OF GLASTONBURY, ASSIGNOR TO AUGUSTINE L. ELLIS, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

IMPROVEMENT IN METALLIC ALLOYS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 156,007, dated October 13, 1874 applcation filed March 14, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be" it known that I, HOWELL W. WRIGHT, of Glastonbury, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented an Improvement in Metallic Alloys, of which the following is a specification German silver and other alloys have been used for forks spoons, and other articles of table-ware; and the same have been plated with silver, and also with nickel. When this plating is worn off, the metal, being of 'a different color, appears in a very objectionable manner; and, besides this, the metal is comparatively soft and liable to bend, and it is not adapted to use as a knife, because the edge will not remain sharp. Besides this,the silver of the plating is an entire loss after the plating is injured or worn off.

My invention is made with reference to the production of a metal that resembles silver, and that is very strong and elastic, and,l1ence, especially adapted to use in the manufacture of forks, spoons, knives, and other articles of tableware, and thereby dispensing with nickel or silver plating; but the alloy is not limited in its use to these articles, but may be employed for any object to which it is available.

1 make use of silver, nickel, copper, and zinc in about the following proportions: Silver, twenty-five parts; nickel, eighteen parts; copper, thirty-five parts; zinc, twenty-two parts-one hundred parts.

The copper and silver are to be first intimately melted with a suitable flux, such as lime, chalk, or borax, or two of these materials, and to these the nickel is added. I find that the nickel will melt with case when thus introduced. The zinc is added, and thoroughly mixed. This is preferably performed below a covering of silica, and a rod of plumbago can be used for stirring. r

This alloy is adapted to being rolled, forged, or otherwise worked, and it requires annealin g from time to time.

The metal possesses great strength and elasticity, and it is capable of use for knives, as well as articles of table-ware The color resembles silver, and the metal is capable of receiving a high polish, or of being burnished.

The cost of plating is avoided, and the silver that is introduced is always available, as the alloy can be melted and worked up into difierent forms without loss, or the silver extracted. V

The alloy of silver, copper, and zinc is well known, and copper and zinc have been combined with-nickel.

I claim as my im'ention The metallic alloy composed of silver and nickel with copper or zinc, substantially as set forth.

Signed by me this 11th day of March, 1874. 

